Lindsey Vonn thought she would return to World Cup racing next week in Beaver Creek, Colo. because the rehabilitation she did on the knee she injured last February went so well, but that’s questionable now.

“Lindsey sustained a mild strain to her right knee, a partial tear to her right ACL, minor facial abrasions and scapular (shoulder) contusions from her fall,” Kay said in a statement. “She needs to rest for a few days and then will pursue aggressive physical therapy and will determine the next time she is able to compete after seeing how she responds to the treatment.”

The World Cup resumes next week with women’s downhill, super-G and giant slalom races on the new course built adjacent to the men’s course at Beaver Creek. It will mark the first women’s races on a course built for the 2015 world championships.

The Sochi Olympics are only 78 days away. But Tom Hackett, an orthopedic surgeon at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colo. was encouraged by the information released by Vonn’s publicist.

“It allows everybody to hope that she can get back to full skiing as soon as possible,” Hackett said.

Even with a partial ACL tear, Hackett said, Vonn may be able to race next week.

“That can really be day by day, and it depends on her response to the treatments that she will be given in attempting to reduce inflammation and maximizing her muscle function again,” Hackett said. “It really becomes a day by day issue, depending upon the extent of the strain.”

Hackett said her availability next week should be considered questionable, not doubtful. But there are other priorities she needs to weigh.

The Post's ski and Olympics writer, Meyer covered his 12th Games last summer in Rio de Janeiro. He has covered five World Alpine Ski Championships and more than 100 World Cup ski events. He is a member of the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame and Colorado Running Hall of Fame. He regularly covers running and the Colorado Rapids.

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